Prevalence of Health Information Uptake on Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Infants below Six Months in Rural Rwanda

Abstract: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first six months of life is a proven, cost-effective strategy for improving child survival and health outcomes. Although Rwanda reports high national EBF rates, limited evidence exists on whether mothers receive, understand, and apply EBF-related health information. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EBF health information uptake and describe information sources, accessibility, and perceived quality among mothers of infants younger than six months attending Kirehe District Hospital. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2025. Quantitative data were collected from 315 breastfeeding mothers using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through five focus group discussions involving 53 mothers and 15 key informant interviews with healthcare providers. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Findings showed that 90.1% of mothers had taken up EBF health information, while 83.5% reported receiving information from at least one source. Health facilities were the main source (73.0%), followed by media (18.0%), community health workers (5.3%), and family or friends (3.7%). Only 43.5% of mothers received EBF counseling at every antenatal care visit, whereas 40.5% received it occasionally and 16.0% rarely. Despite these gaps, 95.1% considered the information adequate. The study concludes that EBF information uptake in Kirehe District is high, but counseling remains inconsistent and largely dependent on health facilities. Strengthening counseling during antenatal care and expanding communication channels could improve access to breastfeeding information, support feeding decisions, and sustain breastfeeding practices as demand grows. Keywords: exclusive breastfeeding; health information uptake; antenatal care; sources of information; Rwanda. Title: Prevalence of Health Information Uptake on Exclusive Breastfeeding among Mothers of Infants below Six Months in Rural Rwanda Author: Febronie Muhorakeye, Maurice Silali International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 14, Issue 1, April 2026 - September 2026 Page No: 329-335 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 26-June-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20919998 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/prevalence-of-health-information-uptake-on-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-mothers-of-infants-below-six-months-in-rural-rwanda